American Writing Paper Company

American Writing Paper Company

File:AmericanWritingCompany Eagle.svg
File:Flatiron Building Holyoke, Mass.jpg The "Flatiron Building"; initially serving as offices for Parsons Paper Company, it functioned as AWPC's headquarters from 1899 until its demolition in 1952
Industry	Pulp and paper
Founded	1899
Fate	Assets sold off between 1963 and 1970 The "Eagle A" brand and production facilities transferred to Brown Company, a subsidiary of Gulf and Western Industries, in 1970; later acquired by Fox River Paper Company in 1976 Neenah Paper obtained the "Eagle A" trademark in 2007 before discontinuing it
Successors	Holyoke Shares, Inc. (1962-1970)
Headquarters	Holyoke, Massachusetts, United States
Area served	Global

The American Writing Paper Company stood as a leading American trust in the pulp and paper sector, specializing chiefly in premium printing and writing papers. Established in New Jersey in 1899 through the consolidation of 23 rag paper mills, it was headquartered in Holyoke, Massachusetts, which housed thirteen of its mills. At its zenith, the firm accounted for three-quarters of all fine paper production across the United States, earning recognition as the largest fine paper manufacturer worldwide.

Historical evaluations emphasize that inadequate technical knowledge among management was a significant vulnerability. The company's founders were predominantly brokers concentrating on stock and bond promotion rather than manufacturing expertise. Efforts to appoint seasoned papermaker and former congressman William Whiting II as chief executive were unsuccessful; notably, Whiting’s own enterprise remained autonomous and emerged as a principal rival.

Over its operational lifespan, the company encountered numerous labor disputes and endured two bankruptcies before restructuring into an investment entity named "Holyoke Shares" in 1963. This organization ceased operations by 1970 following asset liquidation. Its most notable product line, the "Eagle A" brand, underwent several ownership transitions—initially sold to Brown Company in 1970, then to Fox River Paper Company in 1976, and finally acquired by Neenah Paper in 2007 before being phased out.

Merged properties

Among the company’s acquisitions were significant mills and affiliated subsidiaries such as:

See also

• American Pad and Paper Company
• International Paper, a competitor and currently the largest global producer of pulp and paper; its founding chief engineer received training under D. H. & A. B. Tower, the architectural firm responsible for designing most of American Writing Paper's mills

External links

• American Writing Paper Company Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Discovering New Facts About Paper, promotional materials produced by the American Writing Paper Company